Hamilton Bulldogs 2022-23 Season Thread

[I Loveallsports]

Latest # of season holders I heard was only ~800. I have good reason to believe that number is accurate.

What's the average in the OHL

 

[Jawk]

Yeah I'm not 100%. Personally, if I was a STH in Hamilton and had a vehicle I would travel to Brantford but I imagine there will definitely be varying opinions.

The renewal deposit email that went out last night included a question asking if a bus to Brantford would have interest.

Hard pass on that from me.

 

[Hammer9001]

The Marlies are 10 minutes away, in an area operated by MLSE on behalf of the city. Why would MLSE move them an hour away, and likely pay higher rent at the same time?? Not to mention the Leafs and Marlies practice at the same rink, almost daily, and literally at the same time. Sounds like wishful thinking on your part.

An hour isn't substantial enough a distance to effect call-ups but is substantially enough to get out from the NHL team's catchment (as well as all the other sports franchises in Toronto where there are plenty of other options apart from AHL hockey). Again, no ideas on the lease details, so it might not be higher rent. This is Toronto we are talking about. Also, you have potential in a larger facility to draw more and make more money then where the Marlies are now, but more importantly use them as an anchor tenant and use the facility as a Toronto event overflow (of whom MLSE is the player in that regard in Toronto) as seems to be part of the plan in this article. Failing anything though, it may just be Hamilton becoming what they've always been. Leverage.

If Tim Leiweke wasn't involved with the Hamilton reno group (and I may be mistaken, but I thought he was sought out) I'd probably agree with you on the wishful thinking part, it just seems very weird to me why he would get involved and why the stadium management group is opting to start the renovations just as their season next year starts. It's like they are trying to scare away the Dogs for some other plan.

Oak View Group launches OVG Canada with Hamilton arena project

Former Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke reacquainted himself with the GTA’s sports community with the the launch of OVG Canada.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

 

[Rounder8]

I feel like I'm one of the lucky ones in all of this. I have the means and willingness to drive to Brantford, although 40 mins sure isn't as nice as 10 mins to the rink.

Niagara would actually be the better drive for me, but not doing that. I also have an attachment to Brantford because I grew up there. So many fans are going to have it worse than me.

The sad part is that the rink the Sr A and Jr B team play in desperately also needs replaced. It holds 2500 and would have needed twice the amount of renos as they are doing in Brantford. The ice is also 10' shorter.

I could drive there and it's really only an extra 10 mins for me, but I don't think that I want to support them right now since their success in Brantford could mean a permanent move.

 

[Hammer9001]

I feel like I'm one of the lucky ones in all of this. I have the means and willingness to drive to Brantford, although 40 mins sure isn't as nice as 10 mins to the rink.

Niagara would actually be the better drive for me, but not doing that. I also have an attachment to Brantford because I grew up there. So many fans are going to have it worse than me.

The sad part is that the rink the Sr A and Jr B team play in desperately also needs replaced. It holds 2500 and would have needed twice the amount of renos as they are doing in Brantford. The ice is also 10' shorter.

The problem there (and no I don't understand it) is the neighborhood has been virulently opposed to expanding Mountain Arena over the years, or at least the last few times it has come up in AHL/OHL contexts. They don't want the traffic. I think it's silly, and where the arena is located on Hester isn't that far from Upper James, but that is what it is.

I will say this though, Mountain Arena is long overdue for a renovation. The unique smell, single concession stand, incredibly narrow concourse, scoreboard and sound system all could use facelifts. It's just neigh impossible to justify given the numbers the teams that play there draw.

 

[WorkHardEveryShift]

I could drive there and it's really only an extra 10 mins for me, but I don't think that I want to support them right now since their success in Brantford could mean a permanent move.

Don't kid yourself. It's a permanent move. After the renovations the Hamilton lease will be way too expensive. And it's too big anyway. Brantford will see how it goes and if they are getting good support will spend 60M on a new arena

 

[Canadian Game]

In terms of fans choosing to continue supporting the team or not, to each their own. I get it on both sides.

Personally, I’m a junior hockey fan and cheer for the team, and will continue to do so. The team didn’t screw the fans. City council did and Andlauer is sending a clear message to council after years of being treated like crap. I don’t fault him for the decisions he’s made one bit, and I’m willing to travel 30 minutes to still support the team.

With that said, I’m also not convinced that there is a definitive plan to stay in Brantford or return already. It’s way too premature yet and there’s ample time for things to change.

 

[Jawk]

Interesting that they've sold 1000 seat deposits with no mention of price points. I do wonder if there will be some sticker shock to Brantford people that *might* have no idea.

 

[Rounder8]

In terms of fans choosing to continue supporting the team or not, to each their own. I get it on both sides.

Personally, I’m a junior hockey fan and cheer for the team, and will continue to do so. The team didn’t screw the fans. City council did and Andlauer is sending a clear message to council after years of being treated like crap. I don’t fault him for the decisions he’s made one bit, and I’m willing to travel 30 minutes to still support the team.

With that said, I’m also not convinced that there is a definitive plan to stay in Brantford or return already. It’s way too premature yet and there’s ample time for things to change.

I will still watch them and follow them for sure. I haven't missed a home game in 2 1/2 years though and that will change for sure.

I'm 100% a jr A fan though. I don't even follow the NHL anymore really.

If the team permanently decides to stay in Brantford, then I'll make a choice.

I still don't blame the team though.

Agreed about a definitive plan. It's all posturing, leveraging and covering their ass in case they get screwed again by the city.

If they do start to build a new arena, then it is a done deal though.

 

[Canadian Game]

Interesting that they've sold 1000 seat deposits with no mention of price points. I do wonder if there will be some sticker shock to Brantford people that *might* have no idea.

From watching the council meeting last night, Andlauer and Jeff Elia estimated it will be about a month before prices and the seating for is finalized for selection. Andlauer also figured they’ll cap season tickets around 2,000 because they still want fans to be able to buy tickets if they can’t commit to a season, and it allows them to give tickets to local organizations.

Another interesting takeaway on an unrelated note, when talking about community support and giving back, he made it clear that the Bulldogs will still be supporting the breakfast programs in the Hamilton school boards.

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

In terms of fans choosing to continue supporting the team or not, to each their own. I get it on both sides.

Personally, I’m a junior hockey fan and cheer for the team, and will continue to do so. The team didn’t screw the fans. City council did and Andlauer is sending a clear message to council after years of being treated like crap. I don’t fault him for the decisions he’s made one bit, and I’m willing to travel 30 minutes to still support the team.

With that said, I’m also not convinced that there is a definitive plan to stay in Brantford or return already. It’s way too premature yet and there’s ample time for things to change.

There wasn’t much of an option for the bulldogs here, sadly.

The name change isn’t ideal but the city kinda put the team in a corner and made them find a location at the very last second.

I’ll continue to support the team but I do hope they come back after all of this.

 

[sabremike]

Why were they unable to do the renovations in stages like was done with Madison Square Garden so you could have the hockey season from October to April and do each phase in between? If the Bulldogs leave for good I can't see an AHL team because there are none that I could see moving that would make sense for a parent club. ECHL could be a possibility if the Leafs were the affiliate (Sabres are very happy with Cincinnati and there's a historical connection with the city (old Cincinnati Swords). The city screwed this up so bad.

 

[Hammer9001]

Why were they unable to do the renovations in stages like was done with Madison Square Garden so you could have the hockey season from October to April and do each phase in between? If the Bulldogs leave for good I can't see an AHL team because there are none that I could see moving that would make sense for a parent club. ECHL could be a possibility if the Leafs were the affiliate (Sabres are very happy with Cincinnati and there's a historical connection with the city (old Cincinnati Swords). The city screwed this up so bad.

No explanation was given, only that the builders the operators said this was the way it had to be, that is before they said he could still play during the renovation. There's also no reason I see why they are opting to start construction this year, right before the season starts. To be clear, the city has limited fault here (or at least the current council). The last council here basically handed over the keys because they haven't been able to make Copps break even themselves and the would be operators promised the reno for the rights to operate the facility.

Apparently they signed some agreement that is absurdly hush hush, and passed some ridiculous bylaws that makes the contract completely absurd to even review (one of many reasons they were turfed). Literally, one of the new councilors went to review it and

"In a recent tweet, he described a situation in which he was struggling to take a look at the deal with HUPEG, the group taking over First Ontario Center and the rest of the city’s entertainment venues. He said he was taken to a room where he was allowed to see the report but was not allowed to record it or even make handwritten notes."

Ask questions, sometimes get answers - bayobserver.ca Hamilton, Burlington and GTA - Ontario News

One good thing about having a large number of new councilors on Hamilton Council is that they don't take anything for granted. As a result, some of the

canadatoday.news

I'm not joking you, this kind of crap is exactly the kind of lack of any transparency or accountability our last council would pull on a regular basis.

As far as an AHL team, in my eyes, the only one that makes sense to me is the Marlies and I've posted about that before earlier here, but also because there's no way Buffalo is going to give up Rochester or Detroit gives up Grand Rapids. I doubt an ECHL team would draw in Hamilton, even if it was the Leafs affiliate (who I think are currently the Newfoundland Growlers)

For the most part, NHL teams want their affiliates close now a days so they can call players up immediately. It's exactly why so many AHL teams moved to California and pretty much why every team's affiliate (save 7) are within a few hours driving distance of the parent club.

EDIT: Edited affiliate number from 5 to 7. I thought Charlotte and Carolina were still affiliates and missed the Chicago Wolves who are Carolina's affiliate. The other ones that aren't within driving distance are the Bakersfield (Edmonton), Springfield (St. Louis), Syracuse (Tampa Bay), Milwaukee (Nashville) and Coachella Valley (Seattle)

 

[Jawk]

Why were they unable to do the renovations in stages like was done with Madison Square Garden so you could have the hockey season from October to April and do each phase in between? If the Bulldogs leave for good I can't see an AHL team because there are none that I could see moving that would make sense for a parent club. ECHL could be a possibility if the Leafs were the affiliate (Sabres are very happy with Cincinnati and there's a historical connection with the city (old Cincinnati Swords). The city screwed this up so bad.

Basically the city wanted to spend nothing on the renovation of several entertainment facilities. So they gave away the leases on them to a group that committed to the renos and some other projects.

That was the past council. Current council now has zero control or insight in to what is going on.

 

[bobber]

Kind of sad what happened in Hamilton. Successful franchise gets screwed over without much notice. If this happened in another established OHL city people would be livid. What a way to treat a sports team that won a championship for the city.

 

[Rounder8]

Kind of sad what happened in Hamilton. Successful franchise gets screwed over without much notice. If this happened in another established OHL city people would be livid. What a way to treat a sports team that won a championship for the city.

2 championships, but you're right.

 

[bobber]

2 championships, but you're right.

Amazing record. Hard to believe a team that has done so much for a city has to pack up and leave. Shameful to say the least.

 

[Canadian Game]

Caught most of tonight’s game… burn the tape and focus on to tomorrow. Congrats to Costantini on a solid game.

Also nice to see Logan Morrison scored 4 Consecutive goals for Ottawa tonight.

 

[Rounder8]

Caught most of tonight’s game… burn the tape and focus on to tomorrow. Congrats to Costantini on a solid game.

Also nice to see Logan Morrison scored 4 Consecutive goals for Ottawa tonight.

Yep, just move on.

One thing that is been on my mind for awhile. I find that Lawson Sherk is really overhandling the puck.

Big game today against a Petes team looking for revenge and Avery Hayes and Gavin White back for the first time since they were traded.

 

[Jawk]

Lardis is going to be a GD beast next year... if he's not already.

 

[Jawk]

Yep, just move on.

One thing that is been on my mind for awhile. I find that Lawson Sherk is really overhandling the puck.

Big game today against a Petes team looking for revenge and Avery Hayes and Gavin White back for the first time since they were traded.

I think Sherk is a good skater with the puck with not great vision. He winds up through the NZ with possession and then has no idea what to do.

 

[Rounder8]

I think Sherk is a good skater with the puck with not great vision. He winds up through the NZ with possession and then has no idea what to do.

Yep, that's exactly the way I see it. He is strong with the puck, but often skates around the net and back out to the blue line with it.

What a great effort by the boys today!

I can't figure this Petes team out. I watch them warm up and they look like they should be an absolute powerhouse, but it hasn't translated yet for the most part.

Lardis just gets better and better...

 

[Jawk]

Yep, that's exactly the way I see it. He is strong with the puck, but often skates around the net and back out to the blue line with it.

What a great effort by the boys today!

I can't figure this Petes team out. I watch them warm up and they look like they should be an absolute powerhouse, but it hasn't translated yet for the most part.

Lardis just gets better and better...

That Petes team is poorly coached and the guys don't care about one another. Just my opinion.

 

[Rounder8]

That Petes team is poorly coached and the guys don't care about one another. Just my opinion.

Something is definitely missing.

There is no way that there should only be 3 pts between Hamilton and the Petes.

 

[Jawk]

Look at score sheets around the league, incredible the current or former Bulldogs names. Bulldogs, 67's, Petes, Knights,... sometimes the Soo,

Something is definitely missing.

There is no way that there should only be 3 pts between Hamilton and the Petes.

I thought we were going to fall out of the playoffs and be in the lottery. Whether I need to credit the GM, or the coach, or the 2 guys that came over in the Petes trade, or ridicule myself.

I started focusing on u16s because I thought we'd have a real high pick (I think I've said before, I have a family member that is a u16 and will be drafted) and I've seen some of those kids for 10 years. Not going to be picking super high.